Wintering in a Class A Motorhome

[Freebird1958]

With myself new to full time rv`ing. Are the class a motorhomes(between 2008 and newer) built to some degree to be able to camp in the winter months? I understand there are certain maintenance required to camp safe in the winter.

[Ivylog]

X3 on AquaHot, not just for winter. Having 100 gallons of fuel to run it when it's very cold will keep you from having to go get extra very often unlike propane. Do a search on AquaHot and do not let those that say you have to do a yearly maintenance scare you off as some of us do not. I was a little concerned this year when I first cranked mine up and it smoked a lot after not using the diesel portion for over a year. After 10 minutes it cleared up and on several restarts it does not smoke or smell.

[cross_country]

ditto on covering the front wind shield. I would guess a 20% heat savings and no condensation running down the inside of the window on to the dash. I used bubble wrap. Used my wind shield see through cover which covers both side windows and the front to cut out the same shape. Then put it in place, held by wipers until not needed, then put my sun screen over that and secured it with the existing hardware.

Although it was considerably darker inside, the benefits permitted electric heat (on 30 amps) to keep the place comfortable.

I also cut out 1 inch foam board for the back windows and just friction fit and sealed with tape.

That mh did not have insulated windows.

[TexasShadow]

One thing about class As..........
they can take you SOUTH to warmer weather. 🙂

we have camped in temps down into the 20s (for a day or two), but not when it is freezing temps for a full day and night. MHs are not insulated well against severe cold or heat.

[Goldencrazy]

The colder it gets the more you need to shelter. An extra tarp of protect from the direction of the wind. Using blankets over windows. Use selective insulating material on windshield. Of course make sure you plug the roof vents. Plug the AC vent to the outside. Rugs on the floor help and you will want warm clothes for yourself the colder it gets. We used to winter camp in a LaSharo. I used anti freeze in the black tank and also put windshield cleaner in the grey tank. Dumbed them frequently with the blue portable unit into a pit toilet. Got snowed in and had to wait for plows to come a couple of days later to move. We had a Jeep so could get out ourselves but not the motorhome. It was sub zero but oh so quiet as we were the only ones in a giant State park.

[bsinmich]

Not all MHs are created equal. Check the insulation R factor for accurate results. Entry level is not built the same as higher quality ones.

[Goldencrazy]

A trick. If camping in the snow shovel the snow up to frame level all around . Will act as insulation for underneath. Treble lights with 100 watt bulbs in compartments will put out a lot of heat. I use remote temp units in wet bays to keep track of temp.

[Blaster_Man]

John S. has a good idea...the Aqua Hot will work much better than a propane furnace (or two). The AH with a couple of small AC powered heaters will keep you toasty.

[John_S_]

Look for an Aquahot. Also the higher line coaches are better able to handle the cold. I was in NW Iowa in late Nov early Dec. it was cold but we were fine. Foretravel even runs a rally to ski at Tiger Run or to NYC area in Dec. I have been down to 10 below in my coach. I did add a small heater underneath for that temp but down to 0 I am fine with just the coach systems. I do have a couple shovels with me and try not to drive in the snow.

[Golden_HVAC]

Hi,

I have a 1997 Fleetwood Bounder, and it worked fine in 19F weather. I have not camped in 10F weather, but guess it will work fine.

What to look for?

Large fresh water tank is handy, because I could fill it once and then disconnect the fresh water hose, put it away until another sunny day to refill the tank again, and dump the grey and black tanks.

Tanks inside a basement storage compartment that typically has a heater air duct is normal these days. They will not freeze, and will keep working when you are keeping the RV warm inside, and using the systems.

Dual pane windows also slow the heat loss. Most RV's have them now, mainly because they are quieter than single pane windows.

I increased my battery capacity and installed solar panels, mainly because I do not like RV parks and campgrounds. I prefer to camp out in the woods out west, boondocking of sorts.

If you are taking about camping in -10F weather, good luck. Many RV's do not stand up to that low of temperature. Yet most will handle 10F without any problems.

Fred.